Freelance author and broadcaster specialising in Turkey and the Middle East, with particular focus on Syria. 17 books published (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B001KI82JM). Owner since 2005 of 17th/18th century courtyard house in the walled Old City of Damascus, now lived in by Syrian refugee friends, subject of new book 'My House in Damascus, an Inside View of the Syrian Revolution'​ first published 2014, updated second edition 2015. MA in Islamic Architecture (SOAS, University of London, 2008) obtained during its three-year restoration project. Freelance journalism for the BBC website, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Financial Times, BBC interviews on Syria, BBC Arabic appearances on '7 Days'​ programme, several BBC 'From Our Own Correspondent'​ including pieces on Syria's silent majority, Syriac Christians in Eastern Turkey, Flooding projects on the Tigris and Euphrates, Turkey's peace process with the Kurds, meeting my Syrian lawyer in Lebanon's Sidon, and Tunisia's fledging democracy.

Author, Syria specialist and Middle East cultural expert

Start Date: 1980-03-01

17 books published on Turkey and the Middle East for Haus Publishing, Bradt Travel, Thomas Cook, the AA and Michael Haag, covering Syria, Jordan, Turkey, North Cyprus,Tunisia, Oman, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Current areas of focus Syria and Eastern Turkey. Freelance journalism for The Guardian, Financial Times, the BBC website, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph. Radio and TV interviews, including BBC Radio 4's Today programme, BBC World Service, BBC World, BBC Arabic and Sky.